One of the primary ways of showing respect for the dead was through participation in the secret men's society, Mmo, which is the name used only in the northern part of Igbo land.
The second level of initiates was responsible for carrying out the funeral ceremonies for the deceased and inducting the departed spirits into the ebe mmo, so that they would no longer cause mischief in the village
There is a strong Igbo belief that the spirits of one's ancestors keep a constant watch over you.
The funeral ceremonies and burials of the Igbo people are extremely complex, the most elaborate of all being the funeral of a chief.
Those ancestors who lived well, died in socially approved ways, and were given correct burial rites. They live in one of the worlds of the dead, which mirror the worlds of the living. They are periodically reincarnated among the living and are given the name ndichie – the returners.
Relgion -
The Igbo are a profoundly religious people who believe in a benevolent creator, usually known as Chukwu, who created the visible universe (uwa).
Religion was regarded with great seriousness, and this can be seen in their attitudes to sacrifices, which were not of the token kind.
Either a priest is chosen through hereditary lineage or he is chosen by a particular god for his service, usually after passing through a number of mystical experiences. Each person also has a personalised providence, which comes from Chukwu, and returns to him at the time of death, a chi. This chi may be good or bad.
Funerals/Ancestory -
- Most Igbo practiced some form of ancestor worship
- One of the primary ways of showing respect for the dead was through participation in the secret men's society, Mmo, which is the name used only in the northern part of Igbo land.
- The second level of initiates was responsible for carrying out the funeral ceremonies for the deceased and inducting the departed spirits into the ebe mmo, so that they would no longer cause mischief in the village
- There is a strong Igbo belief that the spirits of one's ancestors keep a constant watch over you.
- The funeral ceremonies and burials of the Igbo people are extremely complex, the most elaborate of all being the funeral of a chief.
- Those ancestors who lived well, died in socially approved ways, and were given correct burial rites. They live in one of the worlds of the dead, which mirror the worlds of the living. They are periodically reincarnated among the living and are given the name ndichie – the returners.
Relgion -For more information Click here.